Craftsman and DeWalt are two of the most popular tool brands on the market. So, as it’s highly likely that you have some tools from both companies, if you have a Craftsman drill and several DeWalt drill bits lying around, you probably want to know if you can use the two together!
You can use DeWalt drill bits in a Craftsman drill. However, it’s important to note that the DeWalt drill bits need to be the same size as those required for a Craftsman drill in order to function properly. You can find out if the DeWalt bit will fit your Craftsman drill by running the drill with the bit in it without drilling a hole.
In this article, we will discuss why you can use some DeWalt drill bits in certain Craftsman drills and not others. As well as how to find out if your DeWalt drill bit will fit and function in your Craftsman drill. So keep reading! Everything you need to know is right here.
Can You Use Different Brand Drill Bits With Drills?
You can use DeWalt drill bits with Craftsman drills. However, not all drills will work with all drill bits. You need to have the correct size or else it will not work.
Essentially, the drill bit needs to fit into the clutch of the drill to function properly.
And although drill bits don’t always have a size clearly marked on them and every clutch is a little different in size, we have the instructions listed below on how to test if the drill bit you want to use will work with the drill you have on hand.
How to Test a DeWalt Drill Bit with a Craftsman Drill
Now, in order to test if the DeWalt drill bit you want to use will work with your Craftsman drill, there are a few steps you need to take.
The first is to notice the opening and closing size of the chuck. The chuck is the drill bit opening which is made up of 3 metal bits that open and close as you spin the black plastic handle around the drill.
With the naked eye, you may be able to see right away whether or not the drill bit will fit into the chuck. Sometimes, the drill bits are too big, whereas other times, they are far too small for the chuck to close around them securely.
However, if it seems like the drill bit will fit, you still shouldn’t try to actually drill or screw with it just yet.
The next step in testing a DeWalt drill bit with a Craftsman drill is to secure the bit into the clutch and then run the drill in the air.
It’s important that you don’t dive right into the project you’re working on, but first let the drill run freely. If it does not fall out of the drill or get jammed during this step, then you can actually use the Craftsman drill and DeWalt drill bit for whatever you’re working on.
It’s also important to note that different drill bits should be used for different projects. So even if they fit, you also need to make sure you’ve chosen the right bit for the job!
What Happens if I Use the Wrong Drill Bit with My Craftsman Drill?
Finally, you should understand what will happen if you use a DeWAlt drill bit that doesn’t properly fit with your Craftsman drill.
Using the wrong size drill bit can cause several problems including but not limited to:
- The drill bit may fall out while you’re trying to drill or screw, which can be dangerous for your hands and can lead to mistakes on your material.
- The drill bit could get jammed in the clutch. When this occurs, you may need to use a wrench or pliers to get the drill bit out.
- You could strip the screw you are trying to use.
- The resulting hole might not be exactly as you want it.
- The drill bit might break.
- The drill itself could overheat.
At the end of the day, it is extremely important that you only use a DeWalt drill bit with your Craftsman drill if it fits perfectly, as otherwise, you may experience a myriad of problems that could harm you, the project you’re working on, or the drill itself.
The Bottom Line
Time to recap! Can you use DeWalt drill bits in a Craftsman drill? Absolutely you can! As long as they fit the clutch properly.
Luckily, you now have all the information you need in order to test if the DeWalt drill bit you want to use will fit perfectly in your Craftsman drill so that you can confidently decide to use the two together.
